Kansas Economic and Employment Support Manual

3100 WORK/SELF-SUFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

1. TAF applicants and TAF and food assistance customers should seek employment and meet all work related requirements, unless they are exempt or good cause is established. See Section 3310.4 for special rules regarding TAF domestic violence/sexual assault victims.
    

2. TAF applicants are initially screened to determine the appropriate work component activity. After becoming a TAF recipient, the customer and EES case manager will develop a self-sufficiency agreement. Further assessments may be administered as determined necessary by the case manager.
    

3. Non-exempt food assistance only customers in designated counties may volunteer to participate in the federally mandated USDA Food Assistance Employment and Training Program (Food Assistance E&T). The designated counties include:  Geary  and Shawnee. Non-exempt food assistance only customers will be automatically referred to a provider who will contact the customer and offer available E&T services. The opportunity for food assistance only customers to volunteer for services will be applied consistently within the county. Requirements shall not be imposed on food assistance only applicants with the exception of the Potential Employment provisions of 3540.
    

4. Adult members residing in eligible TAF and/or food assistance households but who are a fugitive felon, probation or parole violator, disqualified for a fraud conviction, or an ineligible alien are ineligible for work program services.
    

5. Exempt TAF applicants/customers and exempt food assistance customers who volunteer may be served with work program services although mandatory customers take precedence.
    

6. In addition to participating in assigned work-related/self-sufficiency activities and potential employment, customers are also expected to:
    

   • Report and maintain newly acquired or current employment
      
   • Attend and participate in all classes, groups, and appointments as scheduled
      
   • Provide written verification of information requested by the case manager
      
   • Address problems, barriers and limitations encountered during participation with EES case manager and work to resolve these issues
      
   • Participate in good cause determinations at any point non-compliance occurs
      
   • Provide documentation of all activities, including job contacts if required locally.
      

3100.1 Applicants - Applicants are screened to determine:

• Work readiness, and
   

• The need for domestic violence services.
   

Domestic violence/sexual assault victims who indicate they cannot safely participate in other work activities will be placed in the OAR component unless they state they do not want OARS services. The EES case worker will then determine, in collaboration with the customer, the safest and most appropriate work component options for that individual.

Applicants who are determined to be ready for work should be assigned to appropriate work activities. Assignment to such activities should be customer directed and based on the individual customer’s skill level, situation and needs.  In no way should this assignment delay the approval of Food Stamp or expedited Food Stamp benefits.

NOTE: Cooperation in the Work Readiness Screening is an eligibility requirement. Applicants who are required to complete the WRS and fail to cooperate in the Work Readiness Screening process are ineligible for TAF. (See 2121).

3100.2 Recipients -

1. In all counties, customers who receive both TAF and food assistance will meet work related/self-sufficiency requirements by participating in the TAF work program.
    

2. Following approval of TAF and prior to completion of the Self-Sufficiency Agreement assessment, individuals should be involved in appropriate work activities. The complete assessment must occur within 90 days of the approval of TAF or food assistance.